Roof drain



Se t. 10, 1935. PHY 2,013,761

ROOF DRAIN Filed Aug. 27, 1934 ,47- TOPNE) Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNETE STAT PATENT @FHQE Application August 27 4 Claims.

My invention relates to devices for preventing the freezing of water in roof drains, and an object of my invention, is to provide a device of this kind that shall be simple in construction and that shall effectually prevent the accumulation of ice in the mouths of drains, thereby obstructing flow of water thereinto.

One form of a device embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a side view of a portion of an eaves trough equipped with my improved device.

Figure 2 is a view in cross section through the same.

Figure 3 is a detail view on enlarged scale in vertical section through an eaves trough outlet drain equipped with my improved device.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the same.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a modification.

Figure 6 is a detail View illustrating still another modification.

A serious condition is created in roof drains in freezing weather by reason of the accumulation of ice in the outlets whereby rain or melted snow is prevented from escaping through the drains, and the water thus backs up underneath the flashing or overflows the edges of the trough, thereby creating objectionable results by reason of the freezing of the water underneath the flashings with resulting injury thereto, creating leakage and also in the case of overflow resulting in the formation of icicles. My improved device illustrated and described herein is for the purpose of preventing this accumulation of ice and provides means for keeping the drains clear during freezing weather. My improved device may be placed at the mouth of any drain whether made directly in the roof which is slanted to- Wards the drain, whether made in a trough within the roof, or in an eaves-trough to take the drippings from the eaves, the illustration herein being in connection with the latter form of device only as the other structures will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In the accompanying drawing the numeral l denotes an eaves-trough of any ordinary construction and with a drain pipe 8 extending therefrom.

My improved device is located at the entrance to the drain pipe 8 within the mouth 9 thereof, such device comprising supporting rods ill of such number as may be desired and with the 1934, Serial No. 741,633

lower ends preferably ofiset inwardly to engage within the mouth of the drain and be held therein by their spring action. A receptacle I l is supported at the upper ends of the rods, this receptacle being composed of any desired material, and being secured to the rods in any suitable manner. This receptacle is provided with an opening IL for filling purposes, this opening being preferably formed in a neck l3 and being closed by a cap Id.

In use the receptacle is filled with any suitable material l5 that will dissolve in the presence of water and which will melt ice. There are several substances which will accomplish this purpose, salt being mentioned as one of many. A screen It is placed in an opening in the outlet of the receptacle to retain the material 15 in place and this permits the water to enter within the receptacle whenever the water shall rise high enough in the trough l for this purpose. A hood ll is placed about the receptacle, as shown in Fig. 3, to prevent the water from flowing down the sides of the receptacle and thus encountering the substance therein. A guard 58 of wire mesh is placed about the rods ill as a means for 25 preventing leaves or other refuse from gaining entrance to the drain.

In use the device is placed in position by inserting the lower ends of the rods in the mouth of the drain, the spring action of the rods serving 30 to hold the device in place. Should ice accumulate within the mouth of the drain as by the freezing of wet snow or of water from rain or melting snow, the drain being stopped the water will rise in the trough until it enters the mouth 35 of the receptacle. Contact of the water with the contents of the receptacle will dissolve said contents and the liquid will dissolve the ice and thus automatically open the drain and permit the water to flow off and the contents of the receptacle 40 will settle after it is dissolved so that there will always be a presence of the contents in the outlet of the receptacle. In the modification of the device shown in Fig. 5 the guard I8 is attached to a sleeve N which is engaged with a projecting lip 45 from the receptacle H. In the modification shown in Fig. 6 a sleeve Ell is employed which is inserted within a lip projecting from the receptacle H and the screen 2! comprises the top of the sleeve or screen 26. While I have illustrated 5O herein the receptacle as being supported by rods inserted in the mouth of the drain opening it will be obvious that any other means for supporting the receptacle with its outlet opening over the mouth of the drain will come within the spirit 55 and intent of the invention and I do not, therefore, limit my invention to a receptacle having supports projected within the mouth of the drain opening.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have describedthe principles of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim:

1. In combination with a trough with a drain therefrom, a receptacle to contain a soluble antifreezing substance, said receptacle having an outlet opening therein, and a support to position said outlet opening substantially over the mouth of said drain and below theoverfiow level of said trough.

2. In combination with a trough with a drain therefrom, supporting rods shaped for retention in the mouth of said drain, and a receptacle to contain a soluble anti-freezing substance, said receptacle having an outlet opening therein and attached to said supporting rods with its outlet opening below the overflow level of said trough.

3. In combination with a trough with a drain therefrom, a receptacle to contain a soluble antifreezing substance and having an outlet opening, and means for supporting said receptacle in a trough with its outlet opening substantially over the mouth of said drain and below the overflow level of said trough.

4. In combination with a trough with a drain therefrom, a receptacle having an outlet opening therein, a screen in the mouth of said opening, a soluble anti-freezing substance within said receptacle, and means for supporting said receptacle with its outlet opening substantially over the mouth of said drain and below the overflow level of said trough.

THOMAS A. MURPHY. 

